What should I do if I get a bump on my head from a fight?

After a bump on the head due to fighting, manage it by immediately applying cold compresses to reduce swelling, avoiding pressure or rubbing, monitoring symptom changes, cleaning the local skin, and, if necessary, applying compression bandages—focusing on preventing worsening swelling and further injury. Seek medical attention promptly if symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, altered consciousness, persistent bleeding, or continuous enlargement of the lump occur.

1. Immediate Cold Compression: Within 48 hours after injury, wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply it to the swollen area for 15–20 minutes at a time, repeating every 1–2 hours. This constricts blood vessels, reduces subcutaneous bleeding, and alleviates swelling and pain.

2. Avoid Pressure and Rubbing: Do not press or rub the lump with your hands, as this may worsen rupture of underlying blood vessels, increase bleeding, enlarge the swollen area, or aggravate tissue damage. Keep the affected area free from external force or irritation.

3. Monitor Symptom Changes: Continuously watch for signs such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, or excessive sleepiness. Keep track of changes in the size of the lump. If any abnormal symptoms appear, consider the possibility of intracranial injury and take timely further action.

4. Clean the Local Skin: If the skin is unbroken, gently clean surface dirt with warm water. If there is minor abrasion, wash the area with a mild cleanser, then pat dry to maintain cleanliness and prevent infection.

5. Apply Compression Bandage if Necessary: If the lump is large or continues to grow, after cleaning, apply a sterile gauze pad with moderate pressure to limit swelling spread. Ensure the bandage is neither too tight nor too loose to avoid impairing head circulation.

In daily care, rest the head and avoid strenuous activity, maintain a light diet avoiding spicy or irritating foods, ensure adequate sleep to support tissue healing, prevent further head impacts, and switch from cold to warm compresses at appropriate time intervals to promote absorption of bruising.